Coconut Flour Cheddar Biscuits

Okay, so they are not Red Lobster quality but they were tasty and filling!

1/4 coconut oil or butter, melted (I think butter is better for this one)
1/3 coconut flour
4 organic eggs
Sea Salt
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Baking Powder
1/3 cup shredded organic raw cheese

1.  Combine Eggs, melted oil, sea salt, onion and garlic in a bowl and whisk together well.
2.  Add in the coconut flour and baking powder and whisk until combined and not lumpy.
3.  Fold in the cheese until combined.
4.  Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes (makes about 8 biscuits).

I served these with chicken and veggies for dinner but they might be good with eggs for breakfast!  Also, you could skip the spices and sweeten with raw honey for a sweeter biscuit.

Pulled Barbeque Chicken

Crockpot Meals are so simple and easy when you have a busy schedule, however, my daughters are not big fans of them usually but this one they liked!

1 can organic tomato sauce
1/2 small onion, diced small
2 garlic cloves, grated
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp sweetener (agave, honey, maple syrup)
2 Tbsp organic tomato paste
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp ground mustard
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1-2 lbs chicken (thighs or breast would work, boneless)

Stir ingredients (except chicken) together until well combined.  Add chicken and cook on low for 5-6 hrs.  Then, shred the chicken and return to sauce.  Serve at sandwiches, in tacos, over rice, and or just plain with vegetables!

Teriyaki Spring Rolls

I am not much of a photographer, nor am I neat and clean about my cooking but they sure tasted great!  My husband and I loved them, my daughters did not enjoy the rice wrapper and just liked the teriyaki meat/veggies mixture plain!

Teriyaki Sauce:
1/4 cup Bragg's Liquid Aminos
1 clove garlic, diced
1/2 tsp dry mustard powder
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, chopped
1/4 cup raw honey (more or less to sweetness)

Blend together in a blender until well combined.  Then use as a sauce or marinade.

Spring Rolls:
Spring Roll Wrappers (I found these are whole foods, ingredients were eggs and rice and water)
1/4 head lettuce, finely shredded
1 medium carrot, shredded
2-3 chicken breasts, grilled or baked with teriyaki marinade for flavor then diced

Combine all ingredients and add extra sauce to you liking.  Then, follow spring roll wrap instructions (mine said to place until water for 10-20 seconds then place on a towel and fill with ingredients).  I filled the spring rolls and wrapped them tightly.  Mine ended up making 6 and we wished for more so maybe double this for a larger family or a more filling meal!  Next time, I may add some different veggies/herbs (I am thinking pea pods, cilantro, tomatoes even).

Veggie Crumble

I found a similar version of this as I searched for some different side dish ideas and this fit the bill!  We actually had it for lunch today with some grilled tilapia, which made a light and tasty combo.  I also think this would be awesome by precooking and adding some sliced chicken breast to make a full meal!

Veggie mixture:
3 medium zucchinis, wash and chopped
2 cups mushrooms, diced-I used a mixture of regular and portabello
1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced
1 Tbsp coconut oil
Thyme
Sage
Sea Salt
Pepper
-all to taste
(you could add or omit any of these veggie ideas)

1.  Melt the coconut oil in a large saucepan then add the onions and saute' for about 5 minutes or until beginning to soften.
2.  Then, add the zucchini and all seasonings and continue to saute' until flavors blend.
3.  Add the mushrooms and mix together well.  Then, cover and cook on medium low for 5-10 minutes or until veggies soften and become a bit juicy.
4.  Pour prepped veggies in a baking dish (I used a 8 x 11) and prep the topping.

Topping:
1 cup almond flour (I used trader joe's brand)
1/4 cup diced almonds
2 Tbsp. cold diced butter
Sea Salt
1/4 cup organic parmesan cheese shreds

1.  I used my hands to mash it all together until combined and crumbly, almost like a breadcrumb mixture.
2.  Spread with hands or a spoon onto the vegetable mixture.
3.  Bake at 325-250 for about 30 minutes or until the crumble on top is browning and a bit crispy.

*I think you could really do this in a lot of ways, different veggies, adding chicken or fish, more or less cheese, etc.  I also think you could add a bit of sweetener (honey, maple syrup, coconut sugars, xylitol) to make this a crumble for a sweet, fruity dish!  Enjoy!

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Every year for Thanksgiving, I make some version of an apple pie for dessert (caramel apple pie, apple crunch pie, apple crisp, etc.).  This year, we made apple cinnamon coffee cake for breakfast and tried a new pie, grain-free pecan pie!  Yum!  And it was simple to make!

Pie Crust:
2 cups almond meal/flour (I used Trader Joe's brand but I am sure others would work too)
2 Tbsp. melted coconut oil
1 organic egg
sprinkle sea salt

*My food processor broke so this was the fun part, where my daughter and I squished the dough and mixed into a ball.  Then, press the dough into a 9 inch pie dish (do not go up to high on the sides).

Filling:
3 organic eggs
1 cup coconut sugar (I used a bit less actually)
2 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
1 cup chocolate chunks (I used Enjoy Life brand)
2 cups whole, raw pecans

*Using a hand mixer, combine the eggs, coconut sugar, and coconut oil until well blended. 
*Stir in the chocolate chunks and pecans using a spatula.
*Pour filling into unbaked crust and bake at 350 degrees for about 40-50 min. (mine was 45 minutes exactly).
*Allow to cool before devouring (and try not to sneak any of the sweet pecans off the top)!

This was so simple to make, using healthier ingredients and so tasty!

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili

This recipe is similar to a taco soup, regular chili, or my crock pot chicken black bean salsa soup but a bit different and I liked the differences!  Great flavors and so simple!  Plus, you could alter and add more/less veggies, more/no beans, and any toppings you like.

1 can Organic kidney beans, rinsed
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 cups favorite Organic Salsa (I am currently enjoying Publix Greenwise Organic Salsa-medium)
2-4 carrots, peeled and diced (the original recipe called for corn but I enjoyed the carrots)
1 can diced organic tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning (or make your own, I used Simply Organic brand)
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
1 Tbsp Cumin
1 tsp dried Oregano
1 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 tsp Ground Pepper
3 frozen chicken breasts (you could do more or less and use fresh if you wanted)

Toppings ideas:  Shredded raw organic cheese, cilantro, diced avocado, tortilla chips, onions, etc.

Add all ingredients except chicken to crock pot and stir until well combined.  Place the chicken breast on top and cook on high for 6 hrs, or cook on low for 10 hrs.  About 30 minutes  before serving, remove chicken breast and shred, then place back in crock pot and stir well and let sit on warm until ready to serve.  This is perfect for football nights or just cook Fall/Winter evening meals and is great left over as well!  

Slow Cooker Applesauce

I have never tried making my own applesauce, so decided to give it a try!

8 medium apples (I used a mixture of granny smith and pink lady)
1/3 cup water
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 cinnamon stick
1 Tbsp raw honey

Slow cook on high for 4 hours, them mash or blend.  Refrigerate leftovers!